Interesting how sport can be sent in an upheaval when politics get involved on the world stage, never mind your back yard.

Now we are hearing that Belfast 2021 will NOT play any part in the Closing Ceremony of the Commonwealth Youth Games all due to the current political deadlock in Northern Ireland.

President Louise Martin of the Commonwealth Games Federation mentioned that they were “at a standstill” over the situation and went on to say “it would not be “fair for them to participate in the traditional handover ceremony of this year’s event.”

A delegation from Belfast 2021 was due to be presented with the Quaich, a ceremonial drinking bowl, at the Closing Ceremony on Sunday (July 23), but this did not happen.

Martin went on to mention “this would not impact on Northern Ireland hosting the Games and that the event would still take place there as planned in four years’ time.”

Rather than have any concern or problems for the handover they are planning on holding a separate handover event for Belfast 2021 later this year.

Northern Ireland missed a deadline to sign off funding for the 2021 Commonwealth Youth Games last month as the country’s political parties failed to agree terms that would see a Government restored.

“With their domestic political situation in limbo, we truly feel for our friends in Northern Ireland.

It’s a known fact that Northern Ireland has been without a functioning Government since January after the power-sharing agreement between both political parties – Sinn Féin and the Democratic Unionist Party, collapsed.

The confirmation from the CGF means there will not be a handover ceremony during the closing of the Commonwealth Youth Games for the second consecutive edition of the event.

This was also the case in Samoa in 2015 after Saint Lucia withdrew as hosts of the 2017 event due to concerns over venues and finances.